The Nine of Swords is also tied very closely with the strong ties to the Planet Mercury, which is the planet of mind and mouth. This shows that these cards refer to matters of communication and creative expression. The Nine of Swords card also has strong ties to the Gemini astrological sign, symbolizing fexibility and cleverness. The Swords suit would point towards a mental journey.

On the Nine of Swords, we see someone laying awake in bed. They appear to have had a nightmare as nine swords hang on the wall above their head. They’re crying and it seems that they have awoken to great despair. Depictions of this card differ greatly between showing a man and a woman and also showing different symbols on the quilt wrapped around this figure.

Upright- Despair, anxiety, depression

The Nine of Swords appearing in a reading shows that you are struggling with a great depression. Much like the person on the card, there is nothing physically threatening you. You need to remember that these threats are inside your head. In love, this can mean you’re pushing your partner away because of your anxiety. Or in your career, you may not be applying for a promotion that you think you’re underqualified for. You may not be sleeping well or you may experience nightmares a lot. This is a sign to persevere forward and work on your anxiety until you get to a healthier place through meditation and self reflection.

Reverse- Inner turmoil, secrets, optimism

The Nine of Swords reversed is arguably incredibly similar to the upright meaning. The Nine of Swords appears reversed when your mindset is causing you great distress and pain. This can sometimes mean that you’re being overly critical and hard on yourself. A positive interpretation could point to you having already completed this portion of your journey and you’re now recovering from your negative way of thinking. The advice this card has for you is much the same as upright, try to achieve a healthier mindset through meditation and self reflection.

**In a yes/no reading, the Nine of Swords is a no.